Psalm 105:24-25
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While it mentions fruitfulness, the verse emphasizes God's power in making Israel "stronger than their foes," a point their enemies themselves recognized and feared even as the Israelites were still enslaved. This wasn't just about numbers; it was about a divinely imparted strength that made them a formidable presence, a testament to God's protective power even in dire circumstances.
And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes. He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His promises by reviewing His mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. Before this verse, it touches on the story of Joseph, highlighting how God sovereignly placed him in Egypt to set the stage for Jacob and his family's arrival. This verse then specifically celebrates God's blessing upon the Israelites during their sojourn in Egypt, showing how He caused them to multiply and become a formidable people, setting the scene for their eventual liberation.
Ever feel like you're just treading water? This psalm reminds us that God's desire for us is growth and abundance.
The psalm highlights God's intentional act of making His people 'very fruitful.' This wasn't a passive observation but an active, divine work. It echoes the early command to 'be fruitful and multiply' (Genesis 1:28), showing God's foundational desire for His creation and His people to flourish. In the context of Israel in Egypt, this multiplication was so significant that their enemies feared their sheer numbers (Exodus 1:9). This 'fruitfulness' isn't just about biological increase; it's about God's power to bring about abundance and growth even in challenging circumstances, much like the early church grew despite persecution.
More Than Numbers
This divine multiplication also speaks to spiritual fruitfulness. As believers, we are called to bear fruit for God's kingdom. When we are connected to the Vine, Christ Himself, we find ourselves growing in grace, in faith, and in our ability to serve others. This growth is not dependent on our own efforts alone, but on God's empowering presence.
Facing giants? This verse reveals the source of true strength—and it's not your own.
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Beyond mere numbers, the psalm declares that the LORD 'made them stronger than their foes.' This isn't about having superior military might or political power in and of themselves. It's about God's divine enablement that made Israel more than a match for their adversaries. Even when oppressed, their inherent strength, endowed by God, became a source of concern and even fear for their enemies.
Strength in Adversity
This is a crucial reminder for us today. When we face challenges, difficult relationships, or overwhelming circumstances, our strength isn't measured by our own capabilities but by God's power working within us. The Apostle Paul echoes this truth, stating, 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13). Our spiritual battles are won not by our own might, but by God's power that makes us more than conquerors.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It denotes His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithful relationship with His people.
parah · Hebrew Verb
To be productive, to multiply, and to increase in numbers. It is often used to describe the blessing of God upon His people or creation.
tsar · Hebrew Noun
An enemy or adversary who opposes or manifests hostility. The term is used broadly to describe anyone standing against the people of God.
sane · Hebrew Verb
A strong feeling of enmity, ill will, or opposition toward others. In Scripture, it is presented as a moral failing or the opposite of the command to love one's neighbor.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
Those who are in service or bondage to another, particularly those belonging to and serving God. It signifies humility, devotion, and obedience to a master.
This psalm celebrates God's faithfulness in making His people fruitful and strong, even as they faced adversity. The historical context shows this wasn't just a general blessing, but a specific, providential outworking of His promises, setting the stage for their eventual deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
c. 1876 BC
Joseph Sold into Slavery
Jacob's son Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers and taken to Egypt.
c. 1876-1859 BC
Joseph Rises to Power in Egypt
Through God's providence, Joseph is freed from prison and becomes a powerful official in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
c. 1859 BC
Jacob and Family Move to Egypt
A severe famine prompts Jacob and his entire family, including his son Joseph, to relocate to Egypt.
c. 1859-1571 BC— this verse
Israelites Multiply Greatly in Egypt
During their sojourn, the Israelites experience immense population growth, becoming a numerous and strong people, as foretold by God.
c. 1571 BC
Israelites Face Harsh Oppression
A new Pharaoh, fearing the Israelites' overwhelming numbers and strength, begins to enslave and oppress them.
This passage directly parallels Psalm 105:24 by describing the Israelites' rapid multiplication in Egypt, highlighting God's power to make His people fruitful even in challenging circumstances.
Exodus 1:9-10This shows the Egyptians' own fear of the Israelites' growing numbers and strength, directly illustrating the truth of Psalm 105:24 from the perspective of the 'foes' mentioned.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage echoes Psalm 105:24 by explaining that Israel's prosperity and strength were not due to their own merit but were a direct result of God's covenant and His desire to bless them and make them a distinct people.
Acts 12:24This verse offers a New Testament perspective on God's unstoppable work, stating that 'the word of God increased and multiplied,' reflecting the theme of God's people growing and overcoming opposition, much like in Psalm 105:24.
Romans 8:37This New Testament passage powerfully affirms the spiritual strength believers have in God, declaring that they are 'more than conquerors through him who loved us,' which is a profound spiritual parallel to being made stronger than foes.
pulpitPsalms 105:24: "And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies."
Verse 24. - And he increased his people greatly (comp. Exodus 1:7, 12, 20). And made them stronger than their enemies. So the Pharaoh who introduced the hard bondage, "The people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we" (Exodus 1:9).
calvinPsalms 105:20-24: "The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free."
- The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and set him free. 21. He made him lord over his house; and ruler over all his substance: 22. To bind his princes [215] at his pleasure; and to teach his elders wisdom. 23. And Israel came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. [216] 24. And he greatly increased his people, and multiplied [217] them above their oppressor…
While it mentions fruitfulness, the verse emphasizes God's power in making Israel "stronger than their foes," a point their enemies themselves recognized and feared even as the Israelites were still enslaved. This wasn't just about numbers; it was about a divinely imparted strength that made them a formidable presence, a testament to God's protective power even in dire circumstances.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His promises by reviewing His mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. Before this verse, it touches on the story of Joseph, highlighting how God sovereignly placed him in Egypt to set the stage for Jacob and his family's arrival. This verse then specifically celebrates God's blessing upon the Israelites during their sojourn in Egypt, showing how He caused them to multiply and become a formidable people, setting the scene for their eventual liberation.
This psalm is recounting God's faithfulness to His promises by reviewing His mighty acts in bringing Israel out of Egypt. Before this verse, it touches on the story of Joseph, highlighting how God sovereignly placed him in Egypt to set the stage for Jacob and his family's arrival. This verse then specifically celebrates God's blessing upon the Israelites during their sojourn in Egypt, showing how He caused them to multiply and become a formidable people, setting the scene for their eventual liberation.
"And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes. He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants." — While it mentions fruitfulness, the verse emphasizes God's power in making Israel "stronger than their foes," a point their enemies themselves recognized and feared even as the Israelites were still…
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Last reviewed October 2026
